Jamal Musiala names Celtic star Bayern Munich fear most as wunderkid tips him to make a massive career step
The pair came through the ranks together at Bayern and Musiala thinks his old mate can get to the very top
Wonderkid Jamal Musiala has warned Bayern Munich to beware of Nicolas Kuhn and tipped his old teammate to blast his way towards the Germany set up, reports Michael Gannon.
The pair were part of the Bayern II side that won the Bundesliga third division in 2020. Musiala was just a youngster at the time and eventually broke into the senior side and then the German national team while Kuhn landed at Celtic after an impressive spell at Rapid Vienna. The pair will square up again on Tuesday in the Champions League play-off second leg showdown at the Allianz Arena.
And Musiala is well aware of the threat posed by his old pal. He said: “Nicolas played really well against us last week. At Bayern II, I was 16 or 17 and he was already a big character. We spoke together a lot, had games together and I've been delighted to see how he has progressed since then.”
Musiala at just 21-years-old is already one of Germany’s top men and he believes Kuhn could make national boss Julian Nagelsmann take notice. He said: “Everything is possible. Julian (Nagelsmann) has a lot of players to choose from, guys who are playing well, so it’s a decision for him.”
Musiala is one of the hottest properties in world football and the 21-year-old still gives the Tartan Army the fear after his sensational display in Germany’s 5-1 bashing of Scotland in the opening game of the Euros. Musiala is out to inflict more Scottish pain and said: “I had a lot of fun that night. It was definitely one of my favourite games of my career so far
“We wanted to start the tournament strongly, we knew what we had to bring and after a while it started to be, yeah, a lot of fun. We got into a good rhythm and we made things happen. So hopefully we have the same kind of fun this time too.”
Bayern have one foot in the last 16 but the pressure is on them to finish off Celtic and go all the way to the Champions League Final – which is being held at their home. Musiala said: “It won’t be an easy game, that’s for sure, We experienced that in Glasgow, so we know what’s coming here. We need to be fresh, to be mentally prepared and we have to give 100 percent, to keep on going, to start strong and hopefully get the win.
“No one wants excuses. We’re always well prepared and ready to perform as well as possible.
“I think for us it’s always about focussing on ourselves, about getting our habits right, about bringing the right energy and intensity – and then we can adapt to how the opposition plays.
“We know what we can do, which is what matters most. Of course, everyone wants to reach the final, but we can’t look ahead that far. It’s step by step and the next step is beating Celtic.”